AVALANCHE!
Screenplay by Pete Boykin
Unrelentingly grim true story about a doomed expedition of mountaineers caught in a snowstorm until an avalanche wipes out the rescue chopper, the adventurers, and any hope for the family members praying for their return. Based on a true story of death and despair at 28,251 feet, AVALANCHE! never soars to such heights. Most of the characters are indistinguishable stereotypes climbing a mountain between Pakistan and China, covered in gear and goggles. Only standout part is expedition leader Ray Hampton, whose cocky refusal to head back to base camp ends up sealing everyone’s fate. Ending is such a downer it’s hard to imagine the after-party* at the premiere of this feel-bad movie. Plotting is non-existent, family members are bland cutaways from the slaughter unleashed by the insidious K2, picking off the faceless climbers like a slasher movie. Doomed expedition is dragged down by dull exposition about rock climbing and oxygen sickness. Instead of celebrating the triumph of the human spirit, script succeeds in boring everyone to death before the avalanche finishes the job.